The summer was hot and dry. The usual species of birds and butterflies were seen in reasonable numbers. It was good to see the gatekeeper a few times – not seen often here and the painted lady. 
The apples were abundant and have been providing food for many species. since September. A wasp nest appeared on the ground on the path behind the shed but sadly this was dug out a few weeks after being spotted. A dead mole appeared on the meadow grass in September. There was no evidence of any marks on it. The mole is one of Britain’s most elusive mammals and is rarely seen as they spend most of their life deep underground tunnels. They are territorial and solitary, except during the mating season in spring when the males search for females. They used to be killed for their fur and are, sadly, still considered a pest by some. However, their digging helps aerate the soil thereby helping keep it fertile. They also prey on species considered to 
be pests in agriculture so can contribute to pesticide-free farming. We were pleased to have hundreds of molehills here last year. The soil, being crumbly and dry, is useful for throwing in the graves for those who want to scatter earth at the funeral.
We had some interesting details of a woodcock encounter from one of our regular walkers here. It was in the top woodland and as her and her dog walked past, the bird was flushed from its camouflage amongst the leaves. She saw it the morning after the full moon on the 5th. She was thrilled to discover that this is known as a ‘ Woodcock Moon ‘ as migrating woodcocks arrive this time of year. She also tells us that in America these stunning birds are known as ‘ Timberdoodles ‘.
In October the rains came with Autumn storms and flooding. While the woodlands soaked up most of the
groundwater there was some standing water on the paths. The wet weather brought with it an outpouring of fungal fruiting bodies, popping up not just in amongst the trees but also in the wildflower meadows. We found Pestle puffballs had migrated from their fruiting spot in the top woodland down to the bottom edge of the wildflower meadow and what we believe to be Violet Webcaps interspersed in amongst the silver birch trees.
Alt-y-garreg is a 20-acre nature reserve created in 2010 from four fields that had been improved pasture. There are areas of new woodland (over eighteen thousand trees of eighteen native species), wildflower meadows, scrub and ancient hedgerows. Two of the fields are now a natural burial site. The area is teeming with wildlife. A list of species we have seen on the site can be found here.